Blood Bank asking for whole blood donations in March

A nationwide saline shortage is having a significant impact on South Texas Blood and Tissue Center's ability to collect blood.

Because of this situation, a blood shortage is eminent, and many more whole blood donations will be necessary, according to a news release from the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

Sterile injectable saline is used to replenish the body's fluid loss during a specific type of automated blood collection process, which results in two units of blood.

"Certain donors can give two units of red blood cells at one time. Those donations help ensure enough blood is available for the community," said Elizabeth Waltman, chief operating officer at South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

Waltman continued that if those types of donations cannot occur because of the saline shortage, the center would have to rely on many more whole blood donors to make up the shortage.

Whole blood donations, the most common donation, typically take about an hour to complete and can help save as many as three lives. Each donation can be separated by cell type, including platelets, plasma and red blood cells, hence the ability to help three different patients.

Here is a list of upcoming blood drives:

Victoria Locations

Wednesday• 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Citizens Medical Center

• 2701 Hospital Drive

Sunday

9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Knights of Columbus: Holy Family Catholic Church

704 Mallette Drive

March 23

8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church

9806 N.E. Zac Lentz Parkway

March 25

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

University of Houston-Victoria

3007 N. Ben Wilson St.

March 25

6:30-10 a.m.

Berry Plastics

202 John Stockbauer Drive

Bloomington

March 20• 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Bloomington High School

• 2875 Farm-to-Market Road 616

Donors must present identification. Anyone who is 16 years old weighing 120 pounds (with parental consent form) or at least 17 years old weighing 110 pounds and in good general health may donate blood. All donors receive refreshments, a mini-physical and are encouraged to eat before and after donation. Learn more about blood donation at southtexasblood.org or call 800-292-5534.